Perfect conditions delivered fast racing and a new women’s bike course record at The Championship 2026 with convincing wins from Harry Palmer (GBR) and Caroline Pohle (GER).
In the men’s race, Hannes Butters (GER) took an early lead in the swim, quickly putting a significant gap between himself and the rest of the field. Behind him was a large chase group over 15 athletes and by the time they exited the water, the chasers had managed to close the gap down to less than 10 seconds. Butters was out in 21:48 with Kieran Lindars (GBR) in second in 21:53 along with Jannik Schaufler (GER), Michele Sarzilla (ITA), Valdemar Solok (DEN) and Henry Räppo (EST) all neck and neck.
Solok was first out of transition and commanded an early lead, posting speeds of up to 60kpm and by 30km had more than a minute over second place Räppo plus Butters and Shaufler. The large chase group of nine athletes was led Palmer and also featured Kurt McDonald (AUS), Ivan Abele (NZL), Kieran Lindars (GBR), Malachi Cashmore (GBR) and Florian Angert (GER). Two men missing were Frederic Funk (GER) and Will Draper (GBR) who were over three minutes further back after slower than anticipated swims.
By the halfway point, Solok had extended his lead to two minutes. Behind him the chase group had consolidated to 14 athletes, stretching out over 300m on the long straight roads alongside the Danube as they rode at 20m according to Challenge Family anti-drafting regulations. By the 60km mark, Solok had extended his lead even further to 2:30, while behind him the first chasers Lindars, Abele, Palmer, Schaufler, Räppo and Butters led the chase group. In the last 10km of the ride, the chase group began to splinter. While Solok entered T2 with a 1:52:52 bike split, the chasers, led by Räppo along with Butters, Palmer, Lindars, Abele and Schauffler were a significant 3:11 down. Then a further minute back were Funk, Draper, Bjerkeset and Angert and the scene was set for an exciting run.
With so many movers and shakers, none were more impressive than Palmer who immediately starting reducing Solok’s lead. By the halfway point, the gap had reduced to just 1:27 and at 17km the move was made and he took the lead with one lap to go. Behind him the biggest mover was Draper who had been chasing all day – from 22nd out of the water, to 9th off the bike to securing third place with just a couple of kilometres to go. Palmer crossed the line with the biggest win of his career in 3:31:55 while Solok held onto second in 3:32:29 and Draper rounded out the podium in third in 3:33:59.
“It was a tough day!” said Palmer. “I got out of the swim and wasn’t in the best place and was thinking my day was already over before it had begun! When I got to the turnaround point on the bike I realised I was closer to the front than I thought so I thought right, game on, let’s go! On the run I felt like I was racing for second place as Valdemar was three minutes ahead but I slowly whittled it down and it just came together on the day. This is my third time at The Championship and it’s epic to come here and take the win and it feels like a really good step for my career and progress.”
In the women’s race, Sophia Green (GBR) proved dominant and exited the water in 23:20 but she had Lena Meissner (GER) and Mara Sánchez (ESP) right on her feet. Out on to the bike and Sánchez immediately took the lead, however, she was unable to shake Pohle, Meissner and Green. Dynamics changed at the halfway point as Pohle made the decision to take control taking the lead and quickly putting distance between herself and second-place Meissner while Green and Sánchez followed in third and fourth. Pohle continued to extend her lead, but Sanchez was working hard to limit the time gap, given Pohle’s running strength. However, Pohle proved too strong and she entered T2 in 2:02:42, smashing the bike course record by three minutes and 2:39 ahead of Meissner and Sánchez.
Out on the run and the hot conditions tested the best. Pohle held onto her lead but was constantly under threat from Meissner who seemed less affected by the heat. Behind them Sánchez started strong but also seemed to succumb to the tough conditions. It took until the 7km market for Katrine Græsbøll Christensen (DEN) to prove her exceptional running form and move into third place. While the gaps continued to close over the remainder of the run, there were no further changes in placing and Pohle took an emotional win in 3:34:23 with Meissner crossing the line in 3:36:01 and Græsbøll Christensen taking the final place on the podium in 3:37:35.
“Finally I take the win here, it’s one of my favourite races,” said Pohle on the finish line. “I’m really happy and proud of myself today. I pushed really hard on the bike – I was frustrated after the swim so I pushed my power on the bike. I’ve found my inner peace now with this race, I’m so happy and now it’s time to look to Roth.”
For full results, visit https://live.ultimate.dk/desktop/front/index.php?eventid=7418
For further information, visit www.thechampionship.de.